Programmes in Museum, Gallery & Heritage Studies
Open Days
The International Centre for Cultural & Heritage Studies runs 2 Open Days per year.
Our Open Days are structured to provide potential students with information about our Taught Programmes, the University and the City as well as with opportunities to meet staff and ask any specific questions that you might have about the programmes we offer. It's also an opportunity to meet ex-students and find out about their experiences.
To enquire about future open days please email our secretary, Marianne Archbold.
Masters of Art (MA) and Postgraduate Diploma (PgDip)
- Full-time (12 months); Part-time (24 months)
- Campus-based
In these programmes students undertake a series of compulsory modules followed by specialised modules. The academic year starts in mid-September with the Welcome Week. The taught components of the programmes are completed by the end of March to allow sufficient time for the extended 8-week Placement. MA programmes include a substantial research assignment in the form of a Dissertation. Postgraduate Diploma programmes finish in July upon completion of the Work Placement module.
Programmes: Art Museum & Gallery Studies, Heritage Studies, Museum Studies
Masters of Practice (MPrac)
- Full-time (24 months); Part-time (48 months)
- Campus-based with an extensive work placement
The MMPrac programmes have been designed to provide students with a clear understanding of the frequently complex theoretical and practical issues that face those involved in galleries, museums, and heritage. They also offer an extensive real-life experience of working in the sector through a set of placements. The programmes involve successfully completing the MA, and following this with a 42 week schedule, which consists of an extended thirty-six week placement and six weeks for research time and annual leave commitments. During their placements, students work with colleagues in a wide range of cultural and heritage organisations, who provide supervised and mentored work-experience. The MPrac programmes offer a mix of taught modules and two work-based placements which blend theoretical knowledge and understanding with practical experience.
Programmes: Art Museum & Gallery Studies, Heritage Studies, Museum Studies
Postgraduate Certificate (PgCert)
- Part-time (18 months)
- Campus-based with an extensive work placement
The Postgraduate Certificate programme has been designed to enable professionals working in museums or art museums to obtain a postgraduate qualification, or for recent graduates who are interested in exploring Museum Studies. This programme consists of two elements, a taught component: the Issues and Ideas module, and a piece of research: the Work-based Project. Students are required to attend the taught component in Newcastle and complete their project in their 'home' museum or gallery.
Programme: Museum Studies
Research Degrees - MPhil and PhD
PhD and MPhil research programmes are available for full-time and part-time study. These programmes give students the oportunity to undertake substantial research in a museum, gallery or heritage related topic with the support of an academic supervisory team. Research students have access to a vibrant research community as well as training and teaching opportunities in ICCHS.
Part-time study
All Postgraduate Taught programmes in ICCHS are also available on a part-time basis. These programmes offer a flexible alternative to students who wish to pursue a postgraduate academic qualification alongside work or family commitments. Part-time students in any of the programmes are required to attend at least 60 credits of study in the first year, including the Issues and Ideas module and the Welcome Week. Individual students have the opportunity to devise their own route through the programme with the advice of their personal tutor. Part-time study is supported by Blackboard, the University's Virtual Learning Environment, which offers access to handbooks, lecture presentations and other relevant module information as well as a dedicated student online forum. Find out more information about part-time study (PDF file).
Distance Learning Options
We are considering distance learning options which are aimed at people who are either currently employed in museums, or who wish to embark upon a career within the cultural and heritage sector, or are simply interested in museums, galleries and heritage. We do not currently have a start date for this programme. However, if you would like to receive further information when available please send your name and contact details to icchs@ncl.ac.uk
The MA and PgDip programmes in Art Museum and Gallery Studies, Heritage Education and Interpretation, and Museum Studies are recognised by the Museums Association.